Ham Radio - A post mortem look at a fried Yaesu FT DX 1200

Lightning is a bad thing! It's too bad, this was a really nice rig.
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[@marcelrj]

As an electronic technician, I always remind my ham friends here in Brazil about lightning... In fact I am the ONLY person that advises that. They always get frown and say: "During my two hundred years as a ham operator, I never had the need to disconnect my antennas.... bla bla bla... The lightning is not a problem to me". Now I am going to send this video to them. Best regards from PU1MHA.

[@WA4TKG]

I watched this video because I'm about to buy a Post-Deployment Christmas / Birthday Present for myself; a FTDX1200 for only $825 from Ham Radio Outlet. I HAD an FT-897 that was TOTALLY ISOLATED EXCEPT for a Speaker Wire plugged into it. The Antenna / Power Supply / GROUND were ALL DISCONNECTED, and it STILL FRIED the Finals coming in a SPEAKER WIRE! The RX survived. WA4TKG

[@BillKibby1]

Sorry about your friend's radio, glad it was covered!! Lightning is insanely powerful, used to work in irrigation and saw many things blown apart even after the strike traveling through potentially miles of underground and not extremely well insulated wiring. Regards -Bill

[@BillKibby1]

Interesting stuff to think about! At a range of 50 to 150 I'd probably be most concerned about the magic pee. On a family trip as a small child we were parked next to a lightning rod somewhere in Colorado which was struck. Much too small to recall much detail other than is was easily the most forceful thing I've ever experienced up close. In retrospect, I think I'm glad that rod was there well above the parked car. Had we been on the road, there weren't too many taller things around than our station wagon :)

[@r1derbike]

After fixing many lightning damaged units the last 40 years, some lucky enough to have been economical to fix, later failed in other areas. Sometimes in several days to weeks, sometimes longer. Lightning stresses components. Later in my career with modern, well populated surface mount equipment, if more than power supply damage occurred from lightning or transients from close strikes, I would not repair the items and suggested an insurance claim. Repair warranty returns of lightning damaged units, besides sometimes taking many hours of troubleshooting due to the domino effect, were not economically feasible over the long haul, all things considered.

[@loughkb]

Yep, my thinking exactly. I still had a lot of harsh comments though. But yeah, transistor junctions can be partially damaged and still work, for a little while longer only.

[@MrBugsier5]

bett you its only the blown chip and a shorted cap on that 3,5 v line, rest of the boards may be yust fine. would have taken the risk and desoldered that chip fist and mesure short after that...(being no costs involved...)

[@clivewi9103]

Without removing the blown chip which will be short you have no idea what else has failed. Should have gone further with the repair even if you just changed the board.

[@ChrisNorris]

I'm looking at this thinking "that's one of those new Yaesu rigs", then noticed it's 3 years old, then looked at my old FT450D and FT857D and realised how many years have passed since I got them. Just an odd feeling.

[@rjnmex]

Thank you for reminding me to disconnect everything, no matter what! I have lightning arrestors but I know they're not enough after a Florida lightning bolt blew out the pool pump, cable modem, GFI socket, and an inverter.

[@karlfell3768]

Worthy of deeper investigation. Even just as a learning experience. I hate to see any radio die without a fight. Good video Kevin. 73s Karl, M0KRL

[@loughkb]

If you want to have a go at it, I'll sell it for $200 plus shipping.

[@karlfell3768]

Thanks for the reply Kevin. Let me know how much the shipping costs would be to the UK and I will let you know, I enjoy a challenge, Contact email via QRZ, thanks, Karl, M0KRL

[@TheDefpom]

I would remove the uart ic and retest the resistance in the 3.3v rail, if still an issue I would then replace the tantalum caps on the 3.3v rail (they really don't like over voltage, and failure mode is a short)

[@dimitriapproved]

You obviously weren't paying attention! . "not too hopeful". "not gonna bother desoldering the UART". Why desolder a possibly shorted part when you can buy the whole board for $190 ? Whatatamatta wit you ? :)

[@ingmarm8858]

If we start with the fact it's not a UART or a microcontroller it's a line driver (service manual takes 5 seconds to find on Google, refer Q3002). Hot air removal of the line driver and surrounding parts might take a beginner another 5 minutes and you are then in a position to make an educated decision about it being "not too hopeful".

[@albertmorris4889]

Several years ago (hmmm make that decades - I guess I am getting old) I had a friend who lost their "top of the line" Icom and he had disconnected everything but the ground!

[@loughkb]

Close enough to a bolt and the EMF pulse is strong enough to induce current on the wiring harness inside. Even the mic cable could pick up a spike. Lightning is nasty. I had a strike across the street and up the block a few years ago. All the speakers in the room made a loud pop. Even the unamplified ones. It was current induced on the hook up wires by the EMF pulse. It was startling.

[@Larrymarx]

Thank you for posting this video, a great teaching tool..... 73's

[@cuban9splat]

Lightning strike damage can be very deceptive too. Parts that are not associated with the circuits that would "logically" be burnt out can take damage also. Good video and good explanation of how the computer port can turn on the radio even when it is supposedly off. Good job and good video. Thanks for sharing it with us. 73 de K7RMJ Frank

[@TheRadiogeek]

Once a radio or other electronics is damaged by lightning its game over. If you replace a board or part and get it going it most likely will still do strange things and not work as it should. I have a friend who had a radio still in the box and his house was hit by lightning and that radio in the box was damaged. Maybe someone could use the plastic parts from the radio? Nice video.

[@bluehornet6752]

He's dead, Jim.

[@ed-jf3xh]

A UPS helps avoid storm issues too.

[@loughkb]

Yep. It's possible that if he had a good UPS or high end outlet strip with decent spike protection on his computer, he'd still be using this radio.

[@W7LDT]

I like your troubleshooting methods

[@johncliff5417]

Hi Kevin once more. Wow, Lightning. The electronic killer. Very interesting video Kevin. So even if you had a new main board to replace the electocuted one, it would appear that other things would show up as faulty. I nearly electrocuted myself having a go at finding out what was wrong with an old large coulor TV. I got a fair old zap up my right arm. My left hand was holding the negative terminal onto chassis earth (by holding the insulated probe). The meter was set to its highest voltage input but that got the HT as well. Real shame, it was a neat handheld DVM. The TV got the sledge hammer treatment. Good job my neighbours did not hear my hate being delved out to the TV. It went into a big rubish bag and binned. I swore that I would leav TV's alone after that. All in the learning curve I suppose. 73 de G0WXU -John.

[@3butalcomp3]

@john cliff So your lucky enough to have lived even with both hands in the TV? Shit. More than luck. Was the set on, or was it just a discharge since you were hit with 27kv. Tell the truth now. But still. If your left hand was on the chassis, well, u know.

[@johnpawlicki1184]

I had a similar problem in my station. Damage was less extensive. But lightning finds its way everywhere. One wireless phone power supply and a few seemingly very random things also got fried. I agree that disconnect is the best way. Good video. Shame about the radio.,

[@zerog2000]

Ship it to Mr. Carlson's Lab ;)

[@homefront3162]

Jens Jensen Yep...

[@bunkosquad2000]

That’s what Mr. Carlson would call a “charcoal briquette...”

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

please dive us all a update kevin om

[@Paul-gz5dp]

Looks like it is designed well.

[@TheRadioShop]

Can it be fix? Sure but would probably cost over half the price as a new one. Would take a lot of time checking each board. I agree if the 3 volt line was zapped the rig will be in pretty sad shape.

[@bruceforster3709]

You can buy an excellent condition used one for 7-$800.

[@carolmartin7042]

Enjoyed your presentation. Sorry about the radio. I have kept everything disconnected when the radios are not in use. I even disconnect our major appliances, television, etc. If lightning hits, throw it out. Usually, there is one problem after another after a lightning strike. I worked on a mass spectrometer (about a $200,000 system) at a laboratory. It had been damaged by power blackouts and brown outs repeatedly, and also by nearby lightning strikes. An expensive system like that is supposed to be operational 95% of the time. This system was operational month after month for three years at a 5% level! I was repairing one problem after another. It was a piece of junk! Lightning does that!

[@carolmartin7042]

Glen, N0QFT

[@3butalcomp3]

@carol Martin your lying!

[@carolmartin7042]

If the notebooks are still around, check them for yourself. Glen M

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

Try 12 vdc in other parts on the rig like the rcvr section

[@jfrede1976]

Come on. This is a $1000+ Radio give it a try. Lend you a thermal camera from someone and insert the 3.3V again. Then look für the pieces that get warm.

[@loughkb]

If you want to give it a go, I'll sell it for $200 plus shipping.

[@stevec5000]

PM me. I'll take it if it's still available.

[@3butalcomp3]

@@stevec5000 did you buy the radio? Fix it yet??

[@stevec5000]

@@3butalcomp3 Ha ha, no he never replied. Maybe it went to the first guy.

[@BackwardTelevision]

Many thanks for the advice an interesting video.

[@KiloEcho5]

Same thing happened to my ft450.

[@tomcabrera8223]

Me too . Lost soundcard on computer and audio out on 450.

[@BrianG61UK]

Why wouldn't the blown chip be a level translator similar to a MAX232? That's normally the first thing after a serial port. It'd be unusual if the UART wasn't built in to the main processor/controller chip. Why would you start thinking it was a UART or a processor??

[@CT1JRZ]

Do not give up on that! That chip can be the problem. Yes, maybe there are more problems on the other boards, but in my opinion, at least the chip could be take from the circuit. The ower get another radio, but if he had not a new one? I think he will try to get that one working.

[@loughkb]

I did pull the chip after shooting. No good.

[@CT1JRZ]

Ok. Too bad! Better Luck next time. Regards

[@3butalcomp3]

@@loughkb did you then run 3.3v into the radio as well?

[@HamDX2LVG]

How did the lightning connect with the computer? Broadband is mostly via underground cables, so what did the lightning strike to travel to the computer in the first place? Nice vid BTW looks like you got a cheap radio after all the repirs are done.

[@loughkb]

Power lines, computer power supply, serial port to the radios data connection.

[@baikushex0et682]

Great video thanks

[@rohnkd4hct260]

What a shame. I was hoping that with one board you could save a good radio. Anytime lighting is involved, its a gamble. I have a Kenwood R-2000 that took what I think is a voltage spike. I'm working on it now.

[@mistermeanor968]

This happened with my mates ftdx3000 he got it fixed cheap apparently an easy fix radio has been fine since

[@loughkb]

He obviously got lucky in that whatever was damaged was minimal. Lightning damage can vary widely. in this case, the 3.3v rail took the hit and it feeds components on many of the boards, making the damage extensive.

[@paulshires7914]

Shame about the radio I run a 1200 here and they are really nice rigs

[@florinssl]

instant decap of a chip..using lightning

[@corey736]

Is it possible that the damaged UART is shorting the 3.3 volt supply to ground? If so, removing the UART chip may allow the radio to power up.

[@loughkb]

I actually did remove the chip, prior to tracing the 3.3V line to other parts of the radio. I read shorts on three other boards. Believe me, it's bad.

[@corey736]

Bummer

[@3butalcomp3]

@@loughkb maybe a shorted cap, zener or another semi after the chip... Did you follow thru?

[@stealth12141]

I have an FT 890 that I need repaired. Love these and want it flawless. Who could do this for me ?

[@juniorocicat9573]

Ever thought of putting a mat under the radio to stop the front panel surround being damaged as you drag it around on the bench? It’s only a Yaesu, probably doesn’t matter.........

[@jdmeaux]

I was expecting you to be wearing a white coat to do your post mortem. Moe K2JDM

[@loughkb]

+jdmeaux I was wearing scrubs and a mask off camera!

[@jdmeaux]

Ha. ha! Good one!

[@UndernetSystems]

Rip radio

[@petchharrison]

pop pop popety pop goes the yaesu ..jeff

[@stargazer7644]

There is no Z in Yaesu. Nothing has used a dedicated UART chip in at least 20 years. Why would you even bother trying to power it up with that nuked chip still on the board? You know it detonated. Pull it off!

[@loughkb]

After shooting I did pull the chip. The 3.3V line was still showing a short, on that board and others. The damage is far beyond the control unit board.

[@russellhltn1396]

Rats. Based on the video, it looked like there was a good chance that it was just that nuked chip holding things down. I'll bet what got the computer was that it was connected to the internet (DSL or cable). The lightning came in on the internet connection and out the power line (or the other way around). Things that connect to more than one electrical service are at most risk.

[@vylbird8014]

Doesn't have the pins for a UART either. But look at those capacitors right next to it - do they look a bit charge-pump-y to you? I think it's a level converter chip, most likely the good old MAX232 or some variation/clone thereof. 3.3V one side from the CPU, and those weird RS232 logic levels the other (+-12V - because it made sense in the eighties).

[@reallybadaim118]

Wow feels bad man.

[@mistermeanor968]

Good radio for the money these sets

[@glenwoofit]

Why don't you unsolder that chip and regulator and give it a 3.3V from a bench PSU and see what happens?

[@loughkb]

+glenwoofit I did. No good.

[@glenwoofit]

Kevin Loughin D'oh... Isn't 3.3V often used for CPU's? Hopefully it's contained to the processor board.

[@OM0ET]

Thanks for good video! 73 ;-)

[@robertvarner9200]

Fried radio junk....just chuck it in the recycle bin.

[@petchharrison]

fried like an apple..

[@KenPaisley]

I know this is an old video, but do you still have the Pa board? I need one.

[@loughkb]

Nope, sorry long gone.

[@KenPaisley]

@@loughkb Ok, Thanks for the reply.

[@johncartwright6395]

He's dead Jim. You take his tri-corder and I'll take his wallet.

[@jonathangraham8247]

Good video 👍

[@TAKEONEURBANPRODUCTION]

Save that board change the chip and the regulators

[@loughkb]

Been down that rabbit hole before. You just keep finding more things that are burned up.

[@G1WHP]

I would just keep it as a paper weight 👍🇬🇧👍

[@ne2i]

I would part it out and sell it on ebay.....

[@loughkb]

Sold it at a hamfest as a parts rig.

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

YA SSSSSUUUUE DA